"Bernice. Delete those photos. Now. Or you're not walking out of this room."
I smiled. Cold and thin. My thumb hovered over the send button, and I pressed down just enough for him to see.
"Is that so? Then let's play a little game. I dare you to strangle me right here."
"If you don't let go, my finger might just slip. I'm a journalist, Oliver. If this lands in my press group chat, that's on you."
He released me like I'd burned him. He stood frozen in place, swallowing hard.
"Fine. I'm not touching you. Just delete the photos."
For a man who served as Operations Director of a Fortune 500 company, Oliver Delgado had sweat beading on his forehead.
He knew the power of the internet. If those photos went viral, the whole world would be buzzing. Desensitization therapy. How cutting-edge. His precious darling's name would be dragged through the mud.
Mamie's eyes darted. Then she dropped to her knees with a thud.
"Please, Bernice. You've misunderstood. Oliver really was giving me treatment. Maybe I'm better now. Maybe the allergy is gone."
Oliver nodded frantically, his voice clipped with impatience.